How soon after passing test did you drive on motorway?

[ISavedTheBee]

Just wondering how long it took you to have the courage to drive on the motorway.

I've been driving 18 months now and still too scared to do it

About a week it was the day after I got my first car

I had a motorway lesson after I passed, I think, then was using motorways immediately. I went out by myself on an early morning at the weekend the first time. I lived somewhere that was virtually impossible to get out of without driving on motorway at the time. I drove from the north west of England to Norwich about every three weeks for a year shortly after passing my test which was brilliant for building my confidence. The only thing that builds confidence is actually driving, I think.

They are easier than dual carriageways - wider, no traffic lights or roundabouts, more limited road signage overall, pretty straight for the most part, never a right hand turn, usually an extra lane if you break down, telephones at regular distances....

I drove from Leicester to Liverpool the day I passed my test. The only thing I would say is that it's hard to concentrate for any length of time as a new driver and motorways do tend to be fairly boring to drive along.

I've been driving for 16 years and have probably driven on a motorway less than 10 times. I'm terrible, I avoid it at all costs, I really just don't like joining the already moving traffic. Wish I had the confidence to do it but the thought makes me feel sick. Don't be like me, get on the motorway! Unless you're already me and your too worried by it, it's a nightmare!

It's 30 years since I passed my test; I barely drove at all for the first ten years after passing, and drove on my first motorway 18 years after passing my test. I do not recommend leaving such huge gaps!!! DH passed his test about 8 years ago, I sent him out on the motorway that same evening to go and visit his brother so that he could get used to it as soon as possible and not build up a "fear gap".

The same week. My driving instructor gave everyone who passed their test a free half hour motorway lesson. She felt it was her moral duty to do so.

The next day. You need to book a motorway lesson and get driving on them.

After 18months you have most likely built up your fear in your head that means when you do drive on one for first time you'll be a huge risk to other drivers.

I think I was similar to you op. It was easily over a year. I had no need to drive on one so hadn’t, then built it into a big thing in my head. But it was fine when I did (accidentally in the wrong lane at a roundabout!).

Choose a quietish time, take an experienced calm driver with you and go for it.

Where I live now there are no motorways, but some of the dual carriageways have three lanes - you drive on both the same way.

The next week. I had a motorway driving lesson with the same instructor. It was no different to the dual carriageways I drove on when I had my lessons. I prefer motorway driving.

Waiting has been your problem. I would recommend a motorway lesson with an instructor.

I actually had a motorway lesson with my driving instructor a couple of months after passing my test. It was well worth it. I don't drive on the motorway much but actually find it the easiest place to drive. The trickiest bit is getting on and off. Once you're on there it's fine.

On the way home from my test.

I left it for ages and got a "fear gap" (great term OP) so did motorway lessons with a good instructor, as pass plus is for younger people I think (I'm 30s). It was ok, I agree with PP about it not being that different from dual carriageways but as I have no need to go on them, I've left another fear gap of over a year and am back to square one.

Will be switching to an automatic for my next car and hope that will help

Straight away, there is a quietish one very close to where I lived at the time. I had the benefit of having driven as a learner on a fast 3 lane dual carriageway which is pretty similar to a motorway.

Same day to the nearest city and back, then did the 50 mile round trip to my nursing placement the very next day. We’re surrounded by motorways here so I needed to just get on with it else it’d take me twice as long to get anywhere!

Probably 20 years! Lived in part of country with no motorways, now I use motorways for my commute, did build it up in my head to something it is not but now 2nd nature

Years.

But there aren't any motorways (or dual carriageways) where I lived then, so the first time was when I was on holiday.

If I can do it, you most definitely can!

Can't remember, passed 23 years ago!

I can’t remember precisely, but not long.

I did lots of driving on dual carriageways during my driving lessons, and some of those dual carriageways were really very like motorways (except for having no hard shoulder).

20 hours. I loved it.

The next day. Honesty, motorways are so easy. Rural roads are way more of a challenge.

I’ve been driving for almost 5 years and I’m have only been on it twice (both by accident with my husband in the car!)

In my defence my husband usually drives when we go anywhere as he gets terrible travel sickness in the car otherwise. I really need to try and just drive on it but I don’t have a need to at the moment!

Straight away. Would rather drive on the motorway than a narrow country lane. Pick a Sunday and do it even If you only stay in the left hand lane to begin with.

A out 2 weeks. My dad came with me on the m25 from potters bar to slough

Same day - but it was many many years ago.

Daughter's instructor made her drive back from the test on the motorway - she's even confident driving lorries on narrowed motorway for roadworks.